Claimed by the Alpha Celebrity (Rockstar Romance, Alpha Male Erotic Romance, Billionaire Romance) (The Star Struck Trilogy) (10 page)

By early afternoon I was
tired of moping. I realized I was wasting precious time that could be spent being productive. There was no reason for me to be sad. I had a lot of exciting things to look forward to. I had several cool projects going on at work, and I was on the brink of a big breakthrough with my career. Besides, Christoff was right, it probably would have never worked out between us. He lives way overseas in Germany, and I belong in Chicago, and I have no intentions of ever moving unless it’s back to L.A. There was no use in crying over Christoff, it just wasn’t meant to be. I decided to get off my butt and get dressed. I blasted my favorite Brittney Spears album as I took a long hot shower. I loved rocking out as I got ready, it always made me feel amazing. I took my time getting dressed and I curled my hair and put on makeup. I looked and felt like a million bucks, but I didn’t really have anywhere to go.

I grabbed my phone to see if anyone wanted to go out. I had several missed texts, and two voicemails. The texts were
from co-workers, checking in and asking if my ankle was okay, and the two voicemails were from Miss Amber Ryan. Amber is a big crossover star. She considers herself to be a country artist but she’s totally pop, and I tease her about it all of the time. Amber and I met when I interviewed her, back when she came out with her first single, before she made it big. We hit it off right away and we’ve been close ever since. We both have crazy schedules and she’s always on tour, so we only see each other a few times a year, but we talk on the phone and email as often as possible.

I checked both her voicemails. In her first message, she was asking how my hot date went that I told her about last week. She joked that she hadn’t heard from me in awhile so that it must h
ave gone well. She asked me if I ran off and eloped with the guy, and she laughed at her own joke before ending the message. It was great to hear Amber’s voice, but her message made me cringe. I told Amber almost everything, but I wasn’t ready to talk to her about Christoff yet. I deleted that message and checked the next one. In her next message she asked if I had time to talk before Sunday night, because she was nervous about the Awards show. Amber was nominated for several awards, and she had a performance. There was no need for her to be nervous. She always cleaned up in every category, and her performances were always flawless.

I dialed her back to give her a pep talk about the Awards show. Her phone went to voicemail. As I was about to leave a message,
my phone beeped on the other end. It was Amber so I picked up.

“Hey Amber!”

“Hey Gia!”

“It’s good to hear your voice.”

“Yeah I know. You too. It’s been far too long. I haven’t heard from you in a while. How have you been?”

“I’ve been good, just working. I
broke three big stories in a row!”

“Awesome, when I actually have time to sit still I’m going to have to read them. I love reading your work.”

“Thanks Amber!”

“You bet. Sorry I missed your call a minute ago. I’m driving. I’m on my way to a sound check for
the Awards show. Eeek! I’m nervous Gia!”

“Don’t be nervous.”

“I’m up against a lot of really great artists this year.”

“
You’re
an amazing artist. I love your writing and your voice.”

“Aww, thanks!”

“Hey, I just call it like I see it. What are you singing tonight?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“C’mon, at least give me a hint.”

“Nope. You’re just going to have to watch tonight and find out.”

“Alright, fair enough.”

“I want you to text me and let me know what you thought of my performance. And be honest.”

“I will. I know you’ll do amazing though.”

“Thanks. One day you’re going to be on the red carpet interviewing everyone and it’s going to be fabulous!”

“I know. I cannot wait!”

“You’re totally going to be the next Ryan Seacrest or Mario Lopez.”

“Yes! It’s going to be awesome.”

“We’re totally going to pop champagne when it happens.”

“For sure! And hopefully it happens sooner rather than later.”

“Oh it will. Thanks for calling me back. Talking to you always puts me in a good mood.”

“Same here.”

“I feel like I’m going to
kick this Awards show’s ass. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you.”

“You will most definitely kill it. You never disappoint.”

“Thanks Gia. Well I’ve got to run. Traffic is getting bad, and I want to make it to this sound check on time. Thanks again for calling me.”

“No problem. Good luck even though you don’t need it.”

“Thanks. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I texted a few people to see who was doing what for the Awards show. I decided to go over to my friend Deidre’s house, for her annual Awards show party she was throwing. Deidre worked in advertising, and she had lots of colorful friends. Her parties were always a great time. I was excited to catch up with friends that I hadn’t seen in awhile, and I was thrilled to meet new people as well. I had a few hours to kill before the party, so I took a walk around my neighborhood. I was in good spirits, and I had a feeling it was going to be an amazing night. My appetite suddenly came back full force, so I stopped at one of my favorite local restaurants for a full and delicious dinner before stopping by the grocery store to pick up wine and dessert for the party.

When I arrived at the party I made my rounds and greeted everyone, then I grabbed my wine and plate of hors d’oeuvres, and headed into the living room. There was a group
of people gathered around Deidre’s enormous high-definition television, watching the pre-show fanfare. There were so many beautiful couples and amazing evening gowns on the screen. I couldn’t wait until I had my chance to be a part of it all. When it was time for Amber’s performance I shushed everyone so that I could concentrate. Everyone at the party thought it was really cool that I was friends with her. Her performance was flawless as I expected and she sang one of my favorite songs of hers. I jumped up and gave her a standing ovation once her performance was over. Everyone laughed at my enthusiasm.

The Awards show was predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. I correctly predicted most of the winners. When the nominations for Best International Band were
announced, the camera panned to each of the nominees. Just as I predicted, Aus Deutschland was announced as the winner, and they zoomed in for a close-up of Christoff. He was sitting next to cosmetics industry heiress and supermodel, Bianca Hathaway. Bianca was tall, blonde and perfect. Her family dominated not only the cosmetics industry, but they owned multiple high-end clothing labels as well. Aside from being the youngest female of the infamous Hathaway family, Bianca was a star in her own right. She was one of the most popular and highest paid supermodels in the industry. She leaned in and kissed Christoff on the cheek when his award was announced. They whispered back and forth in each other’s ear before Christoff stood to embrace his bandmates, and led them to the stage.

I thought I was going to be sick. I placed my plate on the coffee table and bolted to the bathroom. I slammed the door behind me. My stomach heaved several times, but fortunately I didn’t actually throw up. I sat down on the cool tile f
loor. My heart was racing and I was pouring sweat. I was so upset I could barely breath. My head was spinning, and my stomach felt like I was going down a hill on a giant roller coaster. I tried to stand up but I couldn’t. I was paralyzed by my racing thoughts.
How long had they been dating? Would she get to sleep in his arms tonight? Would they make love? Did he ever really care about me?
Several thoughts crashed into each other at the same time. I tried to make sense of everything but I couldn’t think straight. Suddenly a fit of rage started in the pit of my stomach and permeated throughout my entire being.
That liar! That fucking asshole!

“Gah!” My rush of emotion escaped me in one loud scream, as I pounded the floor with my fist.

“Are you alright in there?” I heard a guy’s voice, and a knock on the bathroom door.

“Yeah, I’ll be out in a minute.” I called out, embarrassed. I stood up, was
hed my hands and opened the bathroom door. A guy rushed past me before I even had a chance to step into the hallway.

“Thanks. I really had to go!” He hurried me into the hallway and slammed the door behind me.

“Sorry dude,” I uttered to the closed door. I wanted to be alone but I knew I needed to be around people, so I made my way back to the living room.

My spot on the couch was taken, so I sat directly in front of the TV, on a pile of over-sized pillows. I was glad my back was to everyone, so no one could
see my face. The crowd at the party started to thin out as the after-show gala coverage began. I watched the screen intently, but I wasn’t paying attention to what was going on. My mind was on Christoff, and his apparent new love interest, Bianca. As if they felt me thinking about them, a glimpse of them appeared on the screen as the camera caught up with them entering a high-profile after party. Christoff usually managed to dodge the media frenzy, but Bianca loved the cameras. Christoff looked annoyed as the reporter repeatedly called his name when he tried to get away. Bianca stopped and led him over to the camera. The reporter spent more time praising Bianca for her stunning dress and her alluring beauty than asking Christoff about his award. I knew him well enough to know he was relieved that he didn’t have to say much. I masochistically hung on every word of their three-minute interview. My heart sank as Christoff grabbed Bianca’s hand, and led her away from the camera and into the party.

It was getting
late, and I needed to go home and prepare for the work week. I found Deidre and thanked her for having me. Before I left she mentioned how quiet I’d been during the end of the party, and I truthfully told her I was tired. She hugged me and told me to get some rest, and to send Amber her praises about the performance. I promised her I’d do both as I hugged her goodbye. I was shaking uncontrollably as I walked home, but I had no tears left to cry.

When I got home, I changed into my pajamas and washed my make
up off. I made myself some warm peppermint tea, grabbed my laptop and crawled into bed. I forced myself to work on some articles to take my mind off of everything. I was looking forward to going to work and being productive, so I wouldn’t torture myself with thoughts of Christoff. I wanted to call Amber and tell her everything, but I didn’t want to ruin her Awards show high. I shot her a quick email, telling her that just as I predicted, everyone including me loved her performance. After such a dramatic weekend, I was emotionally drained and physically exhausted. I put away my computer, set my alarm and drifted into a much-needed slumber.

Chapter 7

I
t had been over two weeks since the Awards show, and my life seemed to be getting back to normal, aside from the fact that whenever I went to the store, Bianca Hathaway was on the cover of all the magazines. Perhaps she had always been on the cover of all of the magazines and I just hadn’t been paying attention before. These days it just seemed like the universe was taunting me. I couldn’t escape Bianca’s flawless face. Yesterday after work, while I was in line waiting to pay for my groceries, I picked up a magazine with her on the cover, out of curiosity. I flipped to her interview and skimmed it while I waited. She didn’t seem to have much of a personality from what I read, but maybe I was just jealous. At the end of the interview the journalist asked her if she was seeing anyone. She said it was too early to reveal any names, but she admitted to being pretty crazy about an international rock star. I rolled my eyes and purchased a copy of the magazine so I could stew in my own anger later.

Today was Thursday, so I left work a little early to head to the lake and clear my mind. It was a clear, sunny day, and the sk
y was a perfect blue, with fluffy white clouds. I walked the lake front trail as I looked out at the horizon. It was such a clear day. I could see for miles. The vastness of the lake made me feel small and empty inside. I thought about Christoff, and tried to imagine where he was and what he was doing at this exact moment. Part of me wondered if he was with Bianca. I sat down on my favorite bench and wrapped my arms around myself, as memories of the time Christoff and I spent together flooded my mind. I decided to call Amber. Talking to her always cheered me up. I was relieved she actually picked up. It was so rare that we actually got a hold of each other.

“Hey Amber. I’m glad you picked up. How are you?”

“I’m fine. I’ve just been spending the day writing some new songs. What’s up with you?”

“There is a lot I need to catch you up on. Do you have time to talk?”

“For you I do.” Amber was such a good friend. No matter how busy she was, she was always there for me. I was so grateful. I made her swear to secrecy before I told her everything that happened with Christoff, including seeing him and Bianca at the Awards show. She listened quietly until I was finished talking.

“Awww Gia, I’m so sorry you’re hurting right now, but maybe everything that happened was for t
he best. It’s really hard to have a relationship with a rock star. It’s actually not something I would wish on my worst enemy. They’re notorious for being heartbreakers, especially Christoff Diemacht Hartmann. I know it sucks right now, but I think you got off easy.”